My new 347

[CDW6212R]

I can't imagine the rear intake seal would have a leak several times in a row.

Your PCV area is new stuff right, the grommet, the screen(clean), and the plastic "T" unbroken? That's the only other things that I can think of to leak any oil. Pressure in the crankcase would force something out somewhere, have you measured the pressure under your conditions?

 

[Dono]

I was able to climb on the motor last night and wedge my head right back there. The pcv area is clean and dry. Yet, I can see and feel oil running down the side of the block on the drivers side. There is really nothing else it can be. It has to be the corners where head meets lower intake and block.
At this point I end up second guessing the leaks in that area over the last year. There is a lot of different area's to have the same symptom of leak back there. Even valve cover 'could' show that symptom.

I did some logging today at lunch and see I'm about 8% rich thru the lower maf add counts. I'm sure this is an indication that the motor is moving more air. Thats a good thing.

 

[CDW6212R]

That's good to hear on the tuning, a little rich is the place to be.

The lower intake sealing is mostly about doing it slow, and carefully cleaning and covering every bit with RTV. Use a large blob at all four corners, smear it around with a finger to be sure it's got a large footprint to hold onto. That's part of how the cork distracts from the attention to the corners.

If that leak is just at one spot, the intake etc, you can seal that if you can reach it well enough to clean it. I've sealed the entire back of a lower intake when the stock one was gone. It took a while to clean it, but RTV is good enough to hold on if the surface is really clean.

 

[Dono]

The upper intake is coming off for further diagnosis tonight.
More to come....

 

[Dono]

Help!

Ok, its not the china wall. Clean and dry.

What is it? The million dollar question.

Remember, after driving, I end up with probably a good 4" splotch on the driveway. That's not even mentioning the smoking from oil hitting the exhaust crossover when driving.

Honestly, I don't know if I ever had this oil leak fixed. I'm really starting to wonder if its the block.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ouch, how did the head and block look/feel as it went together? Was the leak there in each combination before? Are there any pictures of the block deck or head decks? I'm wondering if something is keeping the head from coming down all the way, like a protrusion of the gasket. Or else is there some kind of deeper scratch in the block surface etc.

If the head isn't down all the way that could cause the gasket to blow out. Stopping the leak with it together now might be possible(clean and RTV). But the worry should be the head seal, sealing the pressure.

 

[Dono]

Everything felt like it went together great.
There is no coolant issues, so the head gaskets are sealing fine.

The head and block deck surfaces are almost cometic gasket type perfect.

I have to say, I'm really wishing this was a lower intake issue. This leak is so very bizarre.

 

[CDW6212R]

Are you sure the oil is coming from the head seam, and not just running along the back edge, from the intake? I'd be sure of that before even thinking of more head R&R.

Clean that back edge of the head/block again well, and lay a tiny bead of Ultra #### RTV there to fill that seam. Just to make sure which the oil is coming from. I'm hoping it's the bottom edge/corner of the lower intake gasket. As you said, the intake would be the better task. Night,

 

[Dono]

I pulled the lower.
I couldn't see any reason for the leak.

One thing I did notice in the lifter valley is a recess in the block Just under the head that oil sits in. I cleaned the area really well with brake cleaner and filled it with ultra copper. Even if it breaks off, I can't see it hurting anything. I decided it was definitely worth a try.
I wasn't shy with the rtv, and even smeared some on the lower intake before installing. I used threaded guides to make sure the intake went on straight. I'm just finishing my 1 hour wait time before torquing the intake down. Then I'll keep torquing through out the day tomorrow and finish assembly tomorrow night. I'm not terribly optimistic, but I have to try something.

 

[gmanpaint]

That should do it!

 

[CDW6212R]

That looks good, lots in the corners.

 

[Dono]

Lol. I gooped the crap out of the works.
A hack job, but I'm not sure what else to try. I have an issue. It needs to go away. If this doesn't fix it...... where's the 'shoot me now' emoji?

 

[4pointslow]

oil leak

I think you missed a spot, see picture.
If it still leaks seal this missed spot up, looks like a block plug and maybe for oil.

 

[Dono]

Oh nooooo.....Your absolutely right!!!!

I went around the wrong side! Great catch. Thank you.
I was just talking to Tim that I still have a leak.

I'm embarrassed and happy at the same time.

 

[4pointslow]

Rtv

You might already know this but anyway,
RTV skins over in 4 minutes, you have to have the two pieces together before that happens so there is a chemical bond.

That ultra copper is the best, I had it on an exhaust manifold that was warped on my 1984 Toyota pickup. I went through 3 exhaust manifold gaskets until I tried it. No more leaks after that, even as hot as a manifold gets. Made me a believer. We use to keep a huge tube in a calk gun at the shop, used it like it was going out of style. Ugly color though lol.

I would use it around the coolant cross over passages too, top and bottom sides of intake gasket.

 

[Turdle]

Threaded hole to left of yellow arrow? Does this have a plug in it and are those threads sealed good?

 

[Dono]

That threaded hole goes right thru to the bell housing. It's for the knock sensor. It just runs right thru the casting.

My lower is back off. I'll pick up more ultra copper and try again. It was still wet. I guess I used a bit too much last time. lol.

 

[delexploder]

I think you missed a spot, see picture.
If it still leaks seal this missed spot up, looks like a block plug and maybe for oil.

Yep that plug is in an oil gallery

 

[4pointslow]

Rtv

. I guess I used a bit too much last time. lol.

I think you used just the right amount, just needs more time to cure.

 

[Dono]

Ok, I'll do the same thing again, just run around the other side of the oil galley plug.
Cure time will need to be closer to 2 days I guess. Not a huge issue. I should be able to Get the lower on around supper time and not drive it for an extra day.